Today started with no really firm plans. We wanted to visit a bicycle and scooter rental shop over on Via Cavour, not to hire a bike (way too dangerous in Rome) or a scooter (even more dangerous for a non-Roman) but because they sold Vespa merchandise and had a little Vespa museum.
Also, Kerry wanted to visit a wool shop just near our apartment. Up Corso Vittorio Emanuelle II we walked on what was going to be another warm day in Rome. Just before the Wedding Cake (officially known as “Altare della Patria” and “Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II”) we look a diversion into some smaller streets, past some more archaeological work, up some stairs which lead us to the bottom of Via Cavour.
This will be a good time to comment on the security presence in Rome. Where Via Cavour meets Via dei Fori Imperiali, the main road from the north-west to the Colosseum the road is blocked two great big army trucks (the combat type, like the Bushmaster) and four keen-eyed soldiers armed to the teeth. I don’t exaggerate about them being keen-eyed, they are alert and attentive not just having an afternoon off from drill practice. This scene is replicated at every major place where large numbers of people are gathered. They’re supported by the local Carabinieri whizzing around these areas closed to most traffic in their Fiats. At other places armed soldiers working in groups of three walk slowly through the many public squares and meeting places. The presence of armed soldiers walking the streets was also a common sight in Paris and Berlin. It does give one a sense that perhaps the safest place to be is where the tourists gather. Lessons have been learned by the governments of the countries where the tragic events of the last 18 months have happened.
We found the shop on Via Cavour, went downstairs to the Vespa display (Museum is a bit of a stretch) and the went back upstairs to buy a Vespa tee-shirt for Kerry and a couple of other nic-nacs. It was time for a coffee, which we found just up the street. Kerry had spotted a wool and craft shop on the way there so we went to have a look after the coffee. There she bought a couple of balls of cotton and the corresponding pattern book to make a scarf. Now all we need is an Italian who’ll be happy to translate the pattern. Oh, we got stooged by one of those touts I was laking about yesterday. We ended up with a turtle and an elephant which will go nicely on the kitchen bench at home with all the other similar trinkets we’ve collected from holidays over the years.
From here we took some back-streets to the Colosseum to complete our circumnavigation of the monument. We were trying to find the place were I risked my life darting out into the traffic to take a photo on 1987. But we couldn’t identify the location. The surrounds of the Colosseum have changed a lot in the last 30 years. We set off in search of my church, which logic suggested, had to be on Via di San Gregorio. Well it wasn’t as plainly obvious as one might think it would be so we walked up Viale di Parco del Celia following the tram tracks. To cut a long story, but not the long walk, short we ended up doing complete circle before we found the monastery. I mean, I really should have known that the dusty track leading from the bottom of Viale di Parco del Celia into the rubbish strewn shrubs and trees was the entrance. Shouldn’t I?
Anyway, on the detour we found a nice little garden with some shady trees under which to rest and the church of St John and Paul. There was a bit of action inside the church, like they were preparing for a Mass or something. We were taken aback when we exited to find that indeed they were – a funeral Mass. We waited for an appropriate opportunity, passing by the dearly departed, offering our prayers to him/her and got out of there quick smart.
Kerry found nothing in the wool shop on Via del Baullari, especially service, so we headed home to plan our last two days. After night had fallen we ventured into Campo de ’Fiori, selected a bar with two comfy seats facing the square and watched all the activity activity happening therein over a Vino Rossa and a Coke. Drinks finished, a gelati was required to finish off the day.
You're going to miss those gelatos when you return to Bendigo!
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